Feast your eyes on an array of awe-inspiring objects in the city

There will be a rare opportunity to feast your eyes on an array of awe-inspiring objects at Vivacity’s brand-new exhibition ‘Treasures’ which opens on Saturday at Peterborough Museum.

The display features objects either found in, or associated with, the city that are now displayed in the collections of national institutions such as the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

For the first time ever, these objects will be reunited in the city, going on display together at the museum.

Many of these objects in the exhibition hold international significance due to their outstanding craftsmanship and unique historical value.

Highlights include:

THE CASKET OF ST THOMAS BECKET

An ornately decorated casket commissioned by Abbot Benedict of Peterborough after the Saint’s death and believed to have held his relics.

THE WATER NEWTON TREASURE

A collection of precious silver objects from Roman Britain.

THE PETERBOROUGH CHRONICLE

A monastic record of what life was like in Saxon England which contains the firstknown written use of the female pronoun ‘she’ (written as scae) in English.

The exhibition is the first phase in Vivacity’s two-part ‘Treasures’ project for the city and will be followed by a community focused exhibition ‘Treasured People and Possessions,’ opening in 2019. This will feature diverse stories and objects from modern day Peterborians with the aim of celebrating the diversity of the city’s culture.

The beginnings of this project were launched at Peterborough Heritage Festival in the ‘Cultural Treasures’ tent and saw a dozen local community groups come together to share art forms treasured by their specific culture as part of the celebrations.

The exhibition is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund through a grant of £87,200 as well as by the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund.

Vivacity’s Director of Culture Richard Hunt says: “This year has been a momentous one for Peterborough in terms of treasures. We have had Antony Gormley’s iconic sculptures resited in Cathedral Square, astronaut Tim Peake’s famed Soyuz spacecraft in Peterborough Cathedral and now these national, historical treasures arriving at Peterborough Museum.

“It just goes to show how Peterborough has been nationally important throughout history, and continues to be so in 2018 when the city is celebrating the 900th anniversary of the cathedral. We are thrilled to receive support from the Weston Loan Programme with Art Fund and National Lottery players for the exhibition and wider project.

“We are, of course, also very grateful to our lenders which include The British Museum and V&A, without whom we could not bring these treasured items back to Peterborough.”

Robyn Llewellyn, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East of England, said: “This exciting exhibition will bring together fascinating objects to tell the story of Peterborough’s people, culture, and traditions. Thanks to National Lottery players, communities across the city will be involved in learning about and celebrating their shared heritage.”

Treasures runs until January 6 next year and is free to enter (excluding advertised special event days).